Room

Room is an interactive multimedia installation, performance, and speculative retelling of historical narratives inspired by the lives of three women, enslaved in colonial America. The project, developed by Marisa Williamson during her residency at SPACES, is a variation on the pop culture “escape room” phenomenon offering players the opportunity to compete against the clock to solve puzzles using clues, hints, and strategy.

This multi-disciplinary platform provides cross-historical and contemporary context for considering the lives of three extraordinary women: Phillis Wheatley, Tituba of Salem Village, and Sally Hemings. The details of their lives are unique, but not widely known or even knowable. Yet, as black women in colonial America, enslaved for the majority or entirety of their lives, the challenges they faced can be assumed to share some common themes. Room takes up these themes - blackness, privilege, genealogies of resistance, and the possibility of escape - as they may, or may not be compatible with the escape room structure, rules, and form.

Viewers are encouraged to sign-up for one of the following interactive experiences in the gallery. Please note, space is limited and reservations are required.

Seeking local performance collaborators!

About the Artist

Marisa Williamson

Marisa Williamson is a New Jersey-based artist who works in video, installation and performance around themes of history, race, feminism, and technology. She has created site-specific works at and in collaboration with the University of Virginia, Mural Arts Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Storm King Art Center, and the Metropolitan Museum... go to artist page